Abstract: A carrier and spacer assembly for an architectural covering (1), such as a vertical venetian blind having a plurality of covering portions (3), includes a longitudinally-arrayed plurality of carriers (11). The plurality of carriers includes a lead first carrier (11′), a second carrier (11″), adapted to be moved by longitudinal movement of the first carrier, and a third carrier (11′″) adapted to be moved by longitudinal movement of the second carrier. The carriers (11) are slidably arranged along a tilt rod (18) and can be moved longitudinally between first and second positions. In one of the positions, the carriers are spaced apart along the tilt rod, and in the other position, the carriers are adjacent to one another at a longitudinal end of the tilt rod. Means are provided for pulling the first carrier (11′) along the tilt rod between the first and second positions, together with means for moving the other carriers (11″, 11′″) with the first carrier.

Abstract: A side guide for an architectural roller covering includes a base (18) and a cover (20). The base has a longitudinally-extending base web (22) with an outer flange (24) and an inner flange (34) extending laterally from a lateral surface of the base web. A free lateral end of the outer flange (24) has a first hinge formation (32) that is longitudinally directed towards the inner flange (34). The cover has a longitudinally-extending cover web (42) with a second hinge formation (48) and a bent arm (50) extending laterally from a lateral surface of the cover web (42) towards the base (18). The lateral surface of the base web (22) faces the lateral surface of the cover web (42), the second hinge formation (48) being located longitudinally between the base inner and outer flanges (34,24) and extending longitudinally towards the first hinge formation (32) and away from the bent arm (50).

Abstract: A carrier and spacer assembly for an architectural covering, such as a vertical Venetian blind, comprising a longitudinally-arrayed plurality of carriers that are slidably arranged for longitudinal movement along a longitudinally-extending tilt rod between open and closed positions. In open position, the carriers are spaced apart along the tilt rod, and in the closed position, the carriers are adjacent to one another at a one end of the tilt rod. A mechanism is provided for pulling a first carrier along the tilt rod between the open and closed positions. A plurality of elongated spacers are disposed between the adjacent carriers, connecting them together along the tilt rod. Each spacer includes a leading end portion which extends towards the open position and engages a carrier and a trailing end portion which extends towards the closed position and engages an adjacent carrier.

Abstract: A side guide for an architectural roller covering includes a base (18) and a cover (20). The base has a longitudinally-extending base web (22) with an outer flange (24) and an inner flange (34) extending laterally from a lateral surface of the base web. A free lateral end of the outer flange (24) has a first hinge formation (32) that is longitudinally directed towards the inner flange (34). The cover has a longitudinally-extending cover web (42) with a second hinge formation (48) and a bent arm (50) extending laterally from a lateral surface of the cover web (42) towards the base (18). The lateral surface of the base web (22) faces the lateral surface of the cover web (42), the second hinge formation (48) being located longitudinally between the base inner and outer flanges (34,24) and extending longitudinally towards the first hinge formation (32) and away from the bent arm (50).

Abstract: A holder for suspending a vertical section of an architectural covering from a carrier of a horizontally-extending head rail, the holder comprising a downwardly-extending first leg, a generally downwardly-extending second leg that is pivotally connected to the first leg for movement between a first position, in which it extends substantially parallel to the first leg, and a second position, in which it is at an acute angle to the first leg, the first leg having a first longitudinal side facing the second leg and the second leg having a second longitudinal side facing the first leg, one of the first and second longitudinal sides having a longitudinally-extending first notch and the other of the first and second longitudinal sides having a first shoulder projecting generally perpendicularly therefrom so as to be received in the first notch when the second leg is in the first position, the pivotal connection of the first and second legs extending laterally and being located above the first notch and the first sh

Abstract: A releasable end stop is provided for an assembly of carriers and spacers that can be moved longitudinally within a head rail of an architectural covering, such as a covering for an architectural opening, and particularly a vertical venetian blind, wherein the end stop permits movement of operative components of the covering to permit cleaning and servicing of the control system for the covering.

Abstract: A nodal assembly for connecting at least two adjacent frame members of a perimeter frame, the nodal assembly comprising a central portion having parallel first and second sides and an opening in the second side, a first leg extending from the central portion in a first direction parallel to the first side and having a cavity within it in communication with the opening, a second leg extending from the central portion in a second direction different from the first direction but also parallel to the first side, and a retainer slidably received in the cavity and movable between a retracted position substantially within the central portion and the first leg and an extended position in which the retainer extends substantially outwardly of the opening in the second side of the central portion and away from the second side.

Abstract: A winding mechanism for an architectural covering such as a blind or shade in which a fixed shaft 10,110 is surrounded by an inner sleeve 16,116 and an outer sleeve 22,122. A one way clutch 20,32 is provided between the inner sleeve and the fixed shaft, and a cord 42,142 is wrapped around the outer surface 40,140 of the inner sleeve, and is connected at one end 44,144 to the outer sleeve 22,122 and at the other end 46,146 to drive member 12, 112 such as a bead pulley. The weight of the blind or shade tending to rotate the outer sleeve in one direction of rotation will tighten the helically wound cord 42,142 onto the outer surface 40, 140 of the inner sleeve locking it thereto and preventing, via the one way clutch 28,72, rotation of the outer sleeve until such time as the drive member 12,112 is rotated in one direction or the other to raise or lower the blind or shade.

Abstract: A winding mechanism for controlling the retraction and deployment of an architectural covering, such as a window blind or shade having a winding element, about which the covering, or its lift cord or tapes are wound and unwound with rotation of the winding element about a first axis of rotation, and a fluid brake for retarding the rotation of the winding element in at least one direction about the first axis. The fluid brake comprises a fluid tight compartment containing a liquid and an impeller. The compartment and the impeller are adapted for relative rotation about a second axis, which can be the same as or coaxial with the first axis. Either the compartment or the impeller is operatively connected to the winding element. In operation the liquid rotates with the rotation of the compartment or the impeller about the second axis.

Abstract: A locking device (38) for locking a hollow longitudinally extending tubular roller (12) of a shade (16) of an architectural covering (1) releasably in any unwound position of the shade. The locking device (38) includes a center shaft (28) concentrically arranged within the roller and a return spring (32), capable of being operatively interposed between the roller (12) and the center shaft (28), for biasing the roller (12) towards a fully wound position of the shade (16). It also includes a disc (42) rotatably mounted on the center shaft (28) radially adjacent a first portion (12A) of the length of a circumferential inner surface of the roller (12) and a plurality of detent projections (82, 86) integrally formed on a second portion (12B) of the length of the inner surface of the roller (12). A cam member (44) is mounted on the center shaft (28), so as to be able to carry out sliding movement transversely, preferably laterally, of the center shaft (28), between two end positions.